Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending Michael Shermer's Science Symposium and rubbing shoulders with a somewhat different crowd than what I'll mix with at the upcoming TAM in Las Vegas. TAM-ers are very much skeptics, and though at the Shermer event I found generally the same outlook, there were many inquiries directed at me about a variety of almost-plausible but very unlikely events and claims, which I hope I handled well...
This was my opportunity to again meet with Bill Nye, who effectively proved that he deserves all the respect he has from the TV industry and his millions of fans. Bill knows his subject -- science -- and he sells his audience on the point that every scientist with any sort of audience, a classroom or a living room full of friends, should be constantly promoting -- the facts about this discipline that separates our species from all others that we know of. It was a delight to hear him discuss his passion for reality, I assure you.
The highly entertaining "Mr. Deity" -- Brian Keith Dalton -- not only did his regular character for an enthralled audience, but gave us a personal account of how he arrived at the doorway of skepticism, and how painful it was to walk away from a comfortable but flawed outlook from which he has now escaped... It was very moving, and powerful.
And hey, folks, we'll also have Bill Nye and Mr. Deity at TAM9 -- which I regret to say is now fully booked up -- as well as Richard Dawkins and Neil DeGrasse Tyson! I can't wait!
The Science Symposium was a great success, and my opinion was certainly shared with everyone with whom I discussed it. I sincerely suggest that you follow Michael's announcements and plan to attend his next CalTech affair.